SOUTH AFRICA wrapped up their World Cup preparations by hammering provincial side the Falcons 74-0 at the PAM Brink Stadium last night.

The 14-try demolition was so one-sided it became ridiculous, forcing the game to be stopped five minutes early. But overshadowing the result was the harsh reality check of a major injury headache for the Springboks, less than three weeks before the World Cup begins.

Fly-half Louis Koen was the victim of a late shoulder charge almost identical to the one England's Jonny Wilkinson suffered from Springbok Jannes Labuschagne. And Koen had to be helped off the field after falling badly on his ankle.